The Afrocentricity - Essay Example

?Afrocentri (2000) The film, “Afrocentri completed in the year 2000, offers various insights about belonging to the contemporary African – American community as well as some of the different perspectives associated with this culture. The film consists of seven different short films, all which are able to express different viewpoints and ideologies of this culture and what it means to belong to this segment of society. The work which is done by the film makers throughout the entire shoot offer different types of insight into the community that move beyond the stereotypes of belonging in the African – American scene of contemporary America, both with the sociological differences and with the stereotypes and perceptions often given by the media. The two main directors of the film are Charles Stone and Chuck Wilson. The actors include several various individuals, all which are divided into each segment. The idea of “Afrocentricity” is to depict the several ways of life that those in the African – American community are associated with. The directors move a step beyond this in showing how the ideas, imagination and the perspectives in this community fall back into problems with stereotypes; however, when looking at the films, there is not a true representation of what this is inclusive of. The strength of this overall film comes from the ideal presented about the diversity of the African – American community. The presentation of seven short films, all which are not related to the other, provides a different level of insight about the African – American community. This breaks down boundaries and stereotypes which are often in the media and gives a fresh look about the ideals of the African American community. Each of the short films is depicted in an artistic and valuable way to ensure that this message is given. The tension is created in each film, specifically by defining the problems which are associated with society, as well as how individuals have to learn how to overcome this. The weakness of the film comes from the misleading presentations which may distract an individual from buying the film. The title of Afrocentricity is one which isn’t realistic and doesn’t provide the correct depiction of what is presented throughout the film. The concept of diversity is a hidden message that is displayed through each of the films. If one doesn’t understand that this is several short films, one which only lasts for two minutes, then more problems may arise. However, this can work in favor of the film if one is able to understand and overcome stereotypes which may have been associated with the value of each story. Overall rating: 4 Breakdown Breakdown is the first short film that is able to give insight into the African – American community. The director of the film is Jeff Byrd. The actors include the lead, Vanessa Williams. The presentation in this film begins with showing a shooting at a bus station. Vanessa Williams is the only survivor of this incident. When moving through the film, Williams tells about the experience of the shoot down and recalls the trauma which she has gone through by being in this location and seeing what has happened in the specific situation. The strength of this plot is based on the ability for Williams to show the other side of the shootings. The stereotypes which are often depicted in the media are based on the side of African – Americans as having a gangster mentality and not basing their beliefs outside of this. The approach which is taken in this film gains its strength by showing the horror and drama of the shooting as well as the responses which have occurred because of this. The acting that is followed with this is realistic in nature and is able to depict the overall understanding of the complexities which occur in a realistic situation where a shooting occurs, no matter where it happens and who witnesses it. The tension which builds from this realistic viewpoint, as well as the resolution of learning from the trauma becomes the main strengths of the film. The weaknesses which occur through the film come from the script. While it is believable, there are several points where the one survivor or witness as well as the traumatic reaction become overdone to prove a point. However, the ending to the story and the resolution change the ideal of reality and fantasy about what has occurred while showing the reality of the trauma. The acting and the focus on the story overrides the few weaknesses that are within this short. Rating: 5 A Gut Feeling “A Gut Feeling” is directed by Lee Davis and has Spike Lee as the executive producer. The film plot is based on two cops that are following a routine to stop crime that is occurring. This particular plot line follows through with the basic routine that is based on a call which the cops get. However, as the routine continues, there is a shift in the routine and it turns out into one which leads to violent reactions and complexities within the movie. The showing of the cops is one which instantly turns from a basic investigation into one which becomes detrimental with the outcome of the call. When watching this film, one is immediately pulled in by the plot and the way that the cinematography is taken care of. Specific angles throughout the film are based on showing the rising complexity of the plot as well as the problems which begin to arise. The angles change from the normal shots into one which begins to become complex, shown both with the camera angles and cinematography, as well as the acting which is created. The strength is built by creating a direct association with the cops, similar to a personal relationship. As the problems arise and move forward, there is a direct connection with the problem and complexities as well as an understanding of the several perspectives which are often looked over in a society which only reports the outcomes of these types of events. While the tension and resolution of the plot create a strong script, the acting is the main weakness of the film. There isn’t a sense of urgency or one which depicts the seriousness of the event. This takes away from the perspectives and realities of the plot and creates a sense of knowing that it is a short film and not a real situation. If this were strengthened, the movie would have been enhanced more because of heightened tension in the situation. Movie rating: 4 Breakfast at Ben’s The director of “Breakfast at Ben’s” is Chuck Wilson. The actors include Maisha Dyson, Olivia Jene Fagon and Casey Hollingworth. This particular story shows a man who overcomes living in the ghetto. After learning his life lesson about being in this specific situation, he changes his outcome by giving back to the community, specifically by helping others who have been in the same situation which he is in. The movie shows the character moving out of the ghetto, struggling to make a better life by becoming a NASA engineer, then turning to offer service to others that are in the same situation. The plot is the main strength of this film, specifically because it shows the change in the character and the movement from being in the ghetto to having to work out of the problem. By showing the different perspectives of the man’s life, while providing insight into the complexities of living in the ghetto and overcoming what has occurred, there is the ability to create a relationship with the character. This perspective is essential in understanding the perspectives of being segmented into a ghetto or stereotypes which may exist within society. This is furthered with the resolution of giving back to the community, which creates a complete picture for personal strength as well as a new perspective on the community. The perspectives also carry strength with the cinematography and the camera use. There is a direct line which is directed, showing the conditions of the ghetto and the conditions of the other side of being a NASA engineer. These different shots and scenes work well in representing the main theme and the ideal of boundaries. The weakness of the film is from the combined script with the acting. While the main story line works well, there are some missing elements because of the shorter length and the actors that are used. However, the associations with other elements in the film cover these weaknesses, specifically with the films script used. Rating: 5 Kings Kings is directed by Niva Dorrell and is co – produced by John Singleton. The film is based on a story about Dorrell’s father who has become a successful attorney working in the corporate world. The film shows the success of the attorney as well as how he has moved his way into being recognized in his field. However, the tension arises when his past confronts him with where he has come from. This occurs with the understanding of losing ties to his home because it is no longer at the economic or mental level as where he is now, as well as the recognition of the struggles that he had to go through to become successful within his career while moving out of the poorer African – American neighborhood. The strengths come from the cinematography and acting that is introduced in the film. The tension is built specifically around the acting and the mental pull that the main character has. The cinematography is combined with this to show settings, movements and other relationships that pull between the two worlds and create a sense of tension. The film script also works well with a popular theme in the African – American community. The resolution is the weakness of the film, specifically because of the cliche of the script that appears as well as the type of conflict which is established. Rating: 5 References Stone, Charles, Chuck Wilson. (2000). “Afrocentricity.” Warner Home Video. Read More